The Andhra Pradesh Association of Surgical Oncology (APASO) successfully conducted its first Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference on "Luminal Gastrointestinal (GI) Malignancies" on July 12 and 13, 2025 The event was hosted by the Department of Surgical Oncology at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care and Advanced Research (SVICCAR), a unit of Tata Cancer Care Foundation (TCCF), under the leadership of Dr Prasanth Penumadu, Medical Director and Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology.
The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Chief Guest Dr T Subramanyeshwar Rao, Medical Director and Head of Surgical Oncology, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research institute, Hyderabad. Guests of Honour included Dr Sharad Desai, President, Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO) and Director Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital, Miraj; Dr Rudra Prasad Acharya, Secretary, IASO and Director of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Venkateshwar Cancer Hospital, Gurgaon; Dr Narendra Hulikal, President, APASO and HOD, Surgical Oncology, SVIMS, Tirupati; Dr Murali Krishna Voona, Managing Director & Chief Surgical Oncologist, Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital and Research institute, Vishakhapatnam; Dr M G Naga Kishore, Medical Director and HOD Surgical Oncology, Omega Hospital, Guntur; and Dr E. Hari Krishna, Civil Assistant Surgeon, SVRRGH and AP Medical Council Observer. Their presence reflected a collective commitment to advancing oncology in the region.
Dr Subramanyeshwar Rao officially launched APASO and delivered an inspiring keynote address titled “Redefining Boundaries in Esophageal Surgery: Lessons from the Past, Vision for the Future”, setting a high academic tone for the two-day programme.
The CME, accredited with three APMC credit points, focused on multidisciplinary management of esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Nearly 280 faculty members, delegates, and students from across Andhra Pradesh and beyond participated. The sessions featured didactic lectures, case-based panel discussions, debates and surgical video presentations, with particular emphasis on recent advances in luminal GI oncology.
Speaking at the event, Dr Prasanth Penumadu said, "It is an immense privilege for SVICCAR, a unit of Tata Cancer Care Foundation, to host APASO's inaugural CME, particularly on a topic as vital as Luminal GI Malignancies. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive and insightful platform for discussing the latest diagnostic techniques, surgical innovations, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches for these challenging cancers. The enthusiastic engagement of nearly 300 professionals underscores the collective commitment to improving patient outcomes in our region."
The launch of APASO alongside its first CME represents an important step towards promoting specialised education and professional development within the surgical oncology community of Andhra Pradesh. With contributions from national experts, a carefully designed scientific agenda, and strong institutional support from SVICCAR and Tata Cancer Care Foundation, the event marked a significant stride in advancing surgical oncology education in the state. It is a powerful testament to the region’s growing academic commitment to evidence-based cancer care.
The CME was made possible through the efforts of Dr Prasanth Penumadu, the department of Surgical Oncology, and the SVICCAR team, whose coordinated work ensured the event’s success.
The Andhra Pradesh Association of Surgical Oncology (APASO) is a professional body committed to advancing the practice and science of surgical oncology within Andhra Pradesh. It aims to foster education, promote research, and encourage collaboration among surgical oncologists to enhance cancer care standards across the state.
